The Journey of Great-enDurance
Teaching Virtues By Story. Greaten Durance. A Story of Great Endurance.
My name is Greaten Durance. My whole life I have been searching for who I am. Knowing my name and favorite color simply cannot be enough. I know that I am on a journey, but where I am headed is so unclear. Nineteen years of steadily enduring, and many more to come. I enjoy what I have found so far, I learn in every place. And yet, there is much more to this journey than I perceive.
I know two facts about myself.
#1. I am Greaten Durance.
#2. I am searching for answers.
I grew up surrounded by the most sublime mountains. Every high-reaching tree seems to stand with confidence. What does the tree know that keeps it so firmly grounded in the earth? To have it stand so tall? I know the trees know more than I.
I have stood at the peaks of mountains and seen splendid waterfalls. I have walked alone, but have never felt so. I have always carried a blue bag. I can’t remember when I received it, but I have never left it behind. The backpack seems to have what I need; I resist saying it has what I want. Once when having reached the edge of a wide river, I opened my pack to find water shoes. I would have preferred to have found a self-inflatable raft. Another time while traveling in the dark, I reached into my bag and found a well-working flashlight. Though I suppose I would have voted for a blanket and pillow. But undeniably, it has always been better by using what is packed.
It is now mid-August. Strong winds have begun to pull leaves off the branches and into my tousled brown hair. Earlier this morning, for a long time it seemed, I kicked a pebble that would go several feet in front, and then I would kick it again. I was walking down a narrow trail with great redwood trees on both sides. I felt so small in comparison, but at least the pebble was smaller than I.
As the day went on, the wind intensified. Now in the late afternoon, I no longer had the protection of the tall wooden columns to resist the wind from beating across my face. I had come to a place that was quite barren with only a few dying juniper trees. I sat down under one of the sad-looking junipers and opened my bag. I imagined a tarp would come in handy, or a tent to protect against the wind. Maybe an extra jacket or a shovel to make a barricade of dirt and stone. I thought I had envisioned it all.
My backpack has never let me down, it always has what I need to continue forward. With how far I had gone, I became obstinate this time and the ceaseless wind made me irritated. Once more, I opened the small bag to find a pack of nuts. Simple, basic, trail mix. The classic mix of nuts, and chocolate. It would have been a more delightful find had I been out of the wind’s rowdy distress.
I should have been content at that moment, but I wasn't. I should have trusted in what has never let me down. But today, I wanted it my way. I was stubborn, absolutely incomparable. Under that seemingly useless tree, I pulled layers of bark off the tree trunk and waited for the wind to settle down. But the wind endured. How much longer can I bear this?
I gave up the useless fight of only wanting it my way. I couldn't halt the wind with my frustration, nor by ignoring what was in my backpack. I grabbed the trail mix and poured a generous supply into the palm of my hand. The salty nuts were nice, they took my mind off of the wind rushing past. I began to sit more comfortably as the chocolate began to melt in my mouth. It was so sweet, the complete opposite of the dry lonesome desert I was in. I understood right then what I was searching for. The chocolate in the trail mix taught me something that made every burden light. Every day, and everywhere, there is something sweet. That is what this journey is. Figuratively, it is the chocolate I must look for. I had been searching for something without knowing what that is. I am searching for the sweetness of life.
I looked to the sky, and said into the wind. “Thank you.” I gave up what I want, and I found what I need. And what I need, is what I now desire. This is a journey. You can make your journey sweet, if you look for it. You can greaten your endurance, and I have greatened mine.
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“Greaten Durance. Welcome to the place I have prepared for you. You have journeyed without wavering in goodness of heart. I bless you to enjoy the goodness of eternity.
Your endurance has turned into glory.”
Alynne! You're so talented!! I loved it ❤️
What a creative story! Nice to be reminded to look for the good :)